1lean 
/ˈli:n/ verb
leans; leaned or British leant /ˈli:n/ verb /ˈlɛnt/; lean·ing 1 a [no obj] : to bend or move from a straight position
▪ The tree leans to one side. ▪ He leaned back in his chair. ▪ They leaned over the table to smell the flowers.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to bend or move from a straight position
▪ They leaned their heads back. ▪ He leaned his chair back. 2 a [no obj] : to rest on or against something or someone for support
▪ You can lean on me if you get tired. ▪ She stood leaning on her right leg. ▪ The ladder was leaning against the house.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to rest on or against something
▪ He leaned the ladder against the house. ▪ The boy leaned his head on his mother's shoulder. 3 a — used to describe what someone wants to do, tends to do, or is likely to do ▪ She hasn't made a decision yet, and I don't know which way she's leaning. — often + toward ▪ She's leaning toward a career in medicine. [=she is probably going to choose a career in medicine] ▪ The mayor is leaning toward closing down the school.
b — used to say that someone supports one group or set of beliefs more than another — often + toward ▪ an independent presidential candidate who leans toward the Democrats and their views
c — used to say that something is more like one thing than another — often + toward ▪ Her new album leans more toward rock than country.
▪ The tree leans to one side. ▪ He leaned back in his chair. ▪ They leaned over the table to smell the flowers.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to bend or move from a straight position
▪ They leaned their heads back. ▪ He leaned his chair back.
▪ You can lean on me if you get tired. ▪ She stood leaning on her right leg. ▪ The ladder was leaning against the house.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to rest on or against something
▪ He leaned the ladder against the house. ▪ The boy leaned his head on his mother's shoulder.
b — used to say that someone supports one group or set of beliefs more than another — often + toward ▪ an independent presidential candidate who leans toward the Democrats and their views
c — used to say that something is more like one thing than another — often + toward ▪ Her new album leans more toward rock than country.
lean on [phrasal verb] 1 lean on (someone or something) : to depend on (someone or something) for support
▪ He leaned on his family during the crisis. ▪ She was someone you could lean on. 2 lean on (someone) informal : to force or try to force (someone) to do something especially by making threats : to put pressure on (someone)
▪ They were leaning on the governor to pass the law.
▪ He leaned on his family during the crisis. ▪ She was someone you could lean on.
▪ They were leaning on the governor to pass the law.
lean over backward — see 1backward
